What Does Matthew 5:5 Mean in the King James?
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The people who do not seize the earth are the ones named as its heirs.
THE MEANING
Flourishing belongs to the meek: their gentleness does not place them outside the world but names them as its heirs. The promise makes lasting belonging a matter of receiving, not grasping.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that the world belongs only to whoever can overpower others or take the most.
THE ROOT
πραεῖς
praeis
GROWS FROM
πραΰς
praus
gentle, mild
“meek” in this verse is praeis. The word names gentleness, not powerlessness. Its family includes both the quality of gentleness and the act of making gentle, so this verse places a softening strength where English readers may expect force.
ALSO GROWS
prautēs: gentleness, meekness
πραΰτης
This noun names the disposition expressed by the meek in the verse.
praunō: to make gentle, soothe
πραΰνω
This related verb shows gentleness as a quality that can soften rather than overpower.
κληρονομήσουσιν
klēronomēsousin
GROWS FROM
κληρονομ-
klēronom-
to receive or possess an inheritance
“inherit” in this verse is klēronomēsousin. The verb belongs to a family that names the inheritance and the heir. The earth comes as a received share, not as territory conquered by force.
ALSO GROWS
klēronomía: inheritance
κληρονομία
This noun makes explicit the received share contained in the verb.
klēronómos: heir
κληρονόμος
This word names the person who receives the share, illuminating who the verse calls to belong to the earth.
THE PATTERN
The lasting share is received rather than seized.
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.THE THREAD
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.In the Greek wording of Psalm 37:11, πραεῖς (praeis, meek) and κληρονομήσουσιν (klēronomēsousin, they will inherit) repeat the words at the heart of Matthew’s promise. The shared wording reveals a direct thread: the gentle receive the earth as an inheritance.
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